Next meeting of whaling commission welcomes Tuvalu?

15/07/2004 04:15:52 | ABC Radio Australia News

New Zealand's Conservation Minister Chris Carter says the next annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission is shaping up to be a crucial one

He says during the meeting in Italy next week, decisions will be made on whether a ban on commercial whaling should be overturned.

Conservation groups say whaling nations have been encouraging small countries reliant on aid to join the IWC and to vote in favour of increased whaling.

Earlier this month, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu applied to join the Commission.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare described the move as a response to Japanese vote-buying.